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Let’s raise awareness about mental health this May- Betty Elikem Azornu
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Mental health conversations in Ghana have long been buried under stigma, brushed off as problems that do not belong here.
A new campaign called ‘Mindful May’ is here to change that loudly, and in language everyone understands.
Betty Elikem Azornu, better known online as Miss Elikemm, has launched the initiative this May with a clear goal: drag mental health out of the shadows and into the everyday spaces where Ghanaians already live, argue, laugh, and scroll. No clinical jargon. No lectures, Just honest conversation about the state of minds.
“Mental health is not just big English,” she says.
According to her, “It’s simply how you think, feel, and act. It exists in everyone, just like physical health.”
Miss Elikemm wants people to recognise themselves in these conversations, and not feel talked down to.
“I want people to see themselves in these conversations. Mental health isn’t for a select few. it’s for all of us under this same sun,” she added.
The campaign runs through the entire month of May with a different focus each week.
The opening week breaks down what mental health actually means in plain terms.
From there, it moves into real-talk about the stressors most Ghanaians know intimately, the toxic productivity, the weight of family expectations, and the particular loneliness of being “the strong friend” that everyone leans on but no one checks on.
Later, they will go deeper into specific conditions like anxiety and depression, before closing out with practical resources people can actually use.
The campaign lives primarily on TikTok and Instagram, where Miss Elikemm is already a familiar voice.
Daily videos, live Q&As, and content, followed by School visits to bring the message to younger audiences before stigma has the chance to settle in.
At its core, ‘Mindful May’ is a challenge to some deeply held Ghanaian cultural myths that rest is laziness, silence means strength, mental health struggles are either spiritual problems or signs of weakness.
The campaign pushes back on all of it, with the kind of wit that makes uncomfortable truths easier to hear.
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has questioned why Ghana continues to import toothpicks despite having the resources to produce them locally.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu, who previously served as Minister for Trade and Industry, said he feels ashamed that the country still depends on imports for such a basic product.
“I have been Minister for Trade and Industry before and I carry the shame. How come that in Ghana we cannot produce toothpicks and we have to import them?” he asked.
According to him, Ghana has enough resources to support local businesses to manufacture products such as toothpicks instead of relying on imports. He said the country should encourage private sector investment in manufacturing to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Mr. Iddrisu alleged that some people who received government support under private sector initiatives failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.
“If you want, Honorable Kojo, because you… I can’t go there. There are people who took money in the name of the private sector and said they were going to farm. That money never went to their farms. You know that,” he told Parliament.
On job creation, the Education Minister said he agreed with the views expressed by a colleague on the need to create more employment opportunities. However, he argued that the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme did not provide the solution to Ghana’s employment challenges.
Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks during parliamentary proceedings while contributing to discussions on job creation and the country’s industrial development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications officer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged GH¢55 million case, insisting that no such issue was raised during his detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In a Facebook post after his release from EOCO custody, Mr Aboagye stated that at no point during his detention was he questioned about any GH¢55 million.
“For the records: There was no discussion of any GH¢55 million with me by EOCO. None,” he wrote.
According to him, he was detained for four days, a day after announcing his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Aboagye alleged that false narratives were circulated about his arrest but expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail.
He thanked NPP supporters who demonstrated and called for his release, saying news of the protests reached him while he was in detention and encouraged him.
Mr Aboagye indicated that the support shown by party faithful strengthened his resolve and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the NPP.
He maintained that his detention had not discouraged him from pursuing his political ambition.
“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he stated.
Mr Aboagye expressed appreciation to his legal team, the leadership of the NPP and all supporters who stood by him throughout his detention.
He reiterated his determination to lead the party’s Communications Directorate, declaring that he remained “ready to win” and committed to what he described as the party’s mission to “command the narrative.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
